Designed Landscape Elements
Designed landscape elements—hardscapes and softscapes—promote health in a variety of ways such as improved accessibility reducing physical barriers and improved indoor air quality through plant absorption, as well as elements that provide sense of place and/or sensory stimulation, important for elder and mental health populations (Fleming, 2021). Other designed landscape features include rooftop gardens, indoor greenspace, window farms, and workplace greenery, with many of these based on principles of universal design & accessibility.
Related topics have been included in Landscapes for Health subset Enabling Gardens & Adaptive Gardening.
Related topics have been included in Landscapes for Health subset Enabling Gardens & Adaptive Gardening.
> Key Organizations
> Books, journals & E-publications on designed landscape elements
Americans with Disabilities Act
Carman, J. (2021). Design for generations.
HERD Journal
Rothert, G. (1994). The Enabling Garden: Creating barrier-free gardens. Taylor Trade Publishing.
Tai, L., Haque, M.T., McLellan, G.K. & Knight, E.J. (2006). Designing outdoor environments for children:
Landscaping schoolyards, gardens, and playgrounds. McGraw Hill.
Carman, J. (2021). Design for generations.
HERD Journal
Rothert, G. (1994). The Enabling Garden: Creating barrier-free gardens. Taylor Trade Publishing.
Tai, L., Haque, M.T., McLellan, G.K. & Knight, E.J. (2006). Designing outdoor environments for children:
Landscaping schoolyards, gardens, and playgrounds. McGraw Hill.
> RESEARCH & ARTICLES ON designed landscape elements
American Society of Landscape Architects. (2021). Universal design.
American Society of Landscape Architects. (2021). Universal design: Gardens.
Bravo, M. (2015). A guide for making community gardens accessible for all members. Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.
Brilli, F., Fares, S., Ghirardo, A., de Visser, P., Calatayud, A., Annesi-Maesano, I., Sebastinai, F., Alivernini, A., Varriale, V. & Menghini, F. (2018). Plants for sustainable improvement of indoor air quality. Trends in Plant Science 23(6):507-512.
Charras, K., Laulier, V., Varcin, A. & Aquino, J.P. (2017). Designing gardens for people with dementia: Literature review and evidence-based design conceptual frame. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil 15(4):417-424.
Cummings, B.E. & Waring, M.S. (2020). Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: A review and
analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 30:253–261
Diehl, R.M. (2019). Perspective: Psychological accessibility—A perspective on therapeutic garden design. In R. Haller, K. & C. Capra (Eds.) The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy. CRC Press.
Dijkstra, K., Pieterse, M.E. & Pruyn, A. (2008). Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the build
healthcare environment: The mediating role of perceived attractiveness. Preventative Medicine 47 (3):279-83
Dillon, I. & Green, J. (2021). Universal design. American Society of Landscape Architects.
Fleming, L. (20xx). Horticulture for health framework. Acta Horticulturae (in press).
Lacanna, G., Wagenaar, C., Avernaetem, T. & Swamim, V. (2018). Evaluating the psychosocial impact of indoor public spaces in complex healthcare settings. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal 12(3):11-30.
Li, F., Fisher, K.J. & Harmer, P.(2005). Improving physical function and blood pressure in older adults through cobblestone mat walking: A randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 53(8):1305-12.
Lottrup, L., Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U.K. (2013). Workplace greenery and perceived level of stress: Benefits of access to a green outdoor environment at the workplace. Landscape and Urban Planning 110:5–11.
Morgan, S.C. (2019). Considerations and adaptations to safely accommodate program participants. In R. Haller, K. Kennedy & C. Capra (Eds.) The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy. CRC Press.
Ren, J. & Tang M.F. (2020). Study on the cooling effect of window gardens. E3S Web Conference 172.
Rivasseau-Jonveaux, T., Pop, A., Fescharek, R., Chuzeville, S.B., Jacob, C., Demarche, L. & Malerba, G. (2012). Les jardins thérapeutiques : Recommandations et critères de conception. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil 10(3): 245-53.
Ulrich, R.S., Lennart Bogren, L., Stuart K. Gardiner, S.K. & Lundin, S. (2018). Psychiatric ward design can reduce aggressive behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology 57:53-66.
Ulrich, R.S., Cordoza, M., Gardiner, S.K., Manulik, B.J., Fitzpatrick, P.S., Hazen, T.M. & Perkins, R.S. (2019). ICU patient family stress recovery during breaks in a hospital garden and indoor environments. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal 13(2):83-102.
American Society of Landscape Architects. (2021). Universal design: Gardens.
Bravo, M. (2015). A guide for making community gardens accessible for all members. Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.
Brilli, F., Fares, S., Ghirardo, A., de Visser, P., Calatayud, A., Annesi-Maesano, I., Sebastinai, F., Alivernini, A., Varriale, V. & Menghini, F. (2018). Plants for sustainable improvement of indoor air quality. Trends in Plant Science 23(6):507-512.
Charras, K., Laulier, V., Varcin, A. & Aquino, J.P. (2017). Designing gardens for people with dementia: Literature review and evidence-based design conceptual frame. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil 15(4):417-424.
Cummings, B.E. & Waring, M.S. (2020). Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: A review and
analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 30:253–261
Diehl, R.M. (2019). Perspective: Psychological accessibility—A perspective on therapeutic garden design. In R. Haller, K. & C. Capra (Eds.) The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy. CRC Press.
Dijkstra, K., Pieterse, M.E. & Pruyn, A. (2008). Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the build
healthcare environment: The mediating role of perceived attractiveness. Preventative Medicine 47 (3):279-83
Dillon, I. & Green, J. (2021). Universal design. American Society of Landscape Architects.
Fleming, L. (20xx). Horticulture for health framework. Acta Horticulturae (in press).
Lacanna, G., Wagenaar, C., Avernaetem, T. & Swamim, V. (2018). Evaluating the psychosocial impact of indoor public spaces in complex healthcare settings. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal 12(3):11-30.
Li, F., Fisher, K.J. & Harmer, P.(2005). Improving physical function and blood pressure in older adults through cobblestone mat walking: A randomized trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 53(8):1305-12.
Lottrup, L., Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U.K. (2013). Workplace greenery and perceived level of stress: Benefits of access to a green outdoor environment at the workplace. Landscape and Urban Planning 110:5–11.
Morgan, S.C. (2019). Considerations and adaptations to safely accommodate program participants. In R. Haller, K. Kennedy & C. Capra (Eds.) The Profession and Practice of Horticultural Therapy. CRC Press.
Ren, J. & Tang M.F. (2020). Study on the cooling effect of window gardens. E3S Web Conference 172.
Rivasseau-Jonveaux, T., Pop, A., Fescharek, R., Chuzeville, S.B., Jacob, C., Demarche, L. & Malerba, G. (2012). Les jardins thérapeutiques : Recommandations et critères de conception. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil 10(3): 245-53.
Ulrich, R.S., Lennart Bogren, L., Stuart K. Gardiner, S.K. & Lundin, S. (2018). Psychiatric ward design can reduce aggressive behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology 57:53-66.
Ulrich, R.S., Cordoza, M., Gardiner, S.K., Manulik, B.J., Fitzpatrick, P.S., Hazen, T.M. & Perkins, R.S. (2019). ICU patient family stress recovery during breaks in a hospital garden and indoor environments. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal 13(2):83-102.
> Examples of DESIGNED LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Geller Terrace at Seidman Cancer Center, Cleveland Ohio, is designed by Virginia Burt and constructed as an inaccessible green roof to create a Zen-inspired space for visually strolling through textural contrasts, geometric shapes, sunlight & shadow patterns.
Greenest Block, Brooklyn, NY, window box planting contests and other initiatives to restore the landscape and Brooklyn residents’ spirits after Hurricane Sandy; initiatives by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. See also Restorative Gardening on Brooklyn's Coast.
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital rooftop garden in Chicago, Illinois, is designed as an accessible greenspace on the roof of a hospital with children’s play area, space for horticultural therapy and complementary therapies to take place outdoors, meadow plantings, and water elements.
The Atrium Courtyard Garden at Navesink Harbor is a rooftop garden, part of a residential building.
The Healing Garden at Kimball Medical Center rooftop garden is accessible to hospital patients, staff, & visitors; location adjacent to hospital entrance with views from patient rooms.
Greenest Block, Brooklyn, NY, window box planting contests and other initiatives to restore the landscape and Brooklyn residents’ spirits after Hurricane Sandy; initiatives by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. See also Restorative Gardening on Brooklyn's Coast.
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital rooftop garden in Chicago, Illinois, is designed as an accessible greenspace on the roof of a hospital with children’s play area, space for horticultural therapy and complementary therapies to take place outdoors, meadow plantings, and water elements.
The Atrium Courtyard Garden at Navesink Harbor is a rooftop garden, part of a residential building.
The Healing Garden at Kimball Medical Center rooftop garden is accessible to hospital patients, staff, & visitors; location adjacent to hospital entrance with views from patient rooms.
> Videos, webinars & websites on DESIGNED LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Insights & solutions resources online with trends, tools & resources for improving healthcare environments, some of which focus on indoor & outdoor gardens in healthcare settings
The Windowfarms Project video demonstrates why & how to build an indoor garden that can grow food.
The Windowfarms Project video demonstrates why & how to build an indoor garden that can grow food.
> Related organizations
Written & compiled by Lesley Fleming, Leah Diehl, Susan Morgan Nov 2021